Nicolas Anelka 'dying with laughter'
Nicolas Anelka claimed he was 'dying with laughter' on Wednesday after being handed an 18-match ban by the French Football Federation.
The suspension, which is likely to spell the end of the Chelsea striker's international career, was a result of his part in the internal conflict which contributed to France's early exit from the World Cup this summer.
Captain Patrice Evra landed a five-match ban, Franck Ribery a three-match suspension and Jeremy Toulalan a one-game ban, while Eric Abidal and the rest of the 23-man squad avoided further reprimand having already missed the first match under new coach Laurent Blanc.
Anelka's punishment will almost certainly see the 31-year-old finish his international career on 69 caps, but the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward shrugged off the ruling, reserving his anger for the FFF's disciplinary commission.
Nonsense
"For me, this whole commission thing is a nonsense, a charade not to lose face," Anelka told France-Soir.
"The so-called punishment has no relevance whatsoever because, for me, the French national team was an issue which ended on 19th June when I was kicked out of the training centre at Knysna.
"This is just to entertain the public, to turn the page because Laurent Blanc needs to be able to work in peace.
"These people are clowns. I am dying with laughter."
Anelka, Evra, Abidal, Ribery and Toulalan were called to a hearing on Tuesday to discuss the behaviour of the national team in South Africa, when in-fighting led to their group-stage elimination.
Les Bleus opted to pull out of training in support of Anelka after he was dismissed from the squad following a row with then coach Raymond Domenech.
France also finished bottom of their group after scoring a single goal and earning just one point in three games.
The aftermath of the team's dismal display saw new coach Blanc suspend all 23 members of the World Cup squad from his selection for the friendly against Norway in Oslo earlier this month, while the FFF also withheld bonuses owed to players.
Source
Maybe this will finally free up some time so he can WRITE A SEQUEL TO HIS BEST-SELLING AUTOBIOGRAPHY?
The suspension, which is likely to spell the end of the Chelsea striker's international career, was a result of his part in the internal conflict which contributed to France's early exit from the World Cup this summer.
Captain Patrice Evra landed a five-match ban, Franck Ribery a three-match suspension and Jeremy Toulalan a one-game ban, while Eric Abidal and the rest of the 23-man squad avoided further reprimand having already missed the first match under new coach Laurent Blanc.
Anelka's punishment will almost certainly see the 31-year-old finish his international career on 69 caps, but the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward shrugged off the ruling, reserving his anger for the FFF's disciplinary commission.
Nonsense
"For me, this whole commission thing is a nonsense, a charade not to lose face," Anelka told France-Soir.
"The so-called punishment has no relevance whatsoever because, for me, the French national team was an issue which ended on 19th June when I was kicked out of the training centre at Knysna.
"This is just to entertain the public, to turn the page because Laurent Blanc needs to be able to work in peace.
"These people are clowns. I am dying with laughter."
Anelka, Evra, Abidal, Ribery and Toulalan were called to a hearing on Tuesday to discuss the behaviour of the national team in South Africa, when in-fighting led to their group-stage elimination.
Les Bleus opted to pull out of training in support of Anelka after he was dismissed from the squad following a row with then coach Raymond Domenech.
France also finished bottom of their group after scoring a single goal and earning just one point in three games.
The aftermath of the team's dismal display saw new coach Blanc suspend all 23 members of the World Cup squad from his selection for the friendly against Norway in Oslo earlier this month, while the FFF also withheld bonuses owed to players.
Source
Maybe this will finally free up some time so he can WRITE A SEQUEL TO HIS BEST-SELLING AUTOBIOGRAPHY?